Pumping apparatus

ABSTRACT

A valve unit is mounted between two independent, power-driven pumps and is provided with a rotatable valve and porting such that the discharge from both pumps can be directed simultaneously through the discharge port of the valve unit, or the discharge from either pump can be independently directed through said discharge port.

United States Patent Theodore D. Erickson Minneapolis, Minn. 830,980

June 6, 1969 June 8, 1971 FMC Corporation San Jose, Calif.

Inventor Appl. No. Filed Patented Assignee PUMPING APPARATUS 13 Claims, 12 Drawing Figs.

Int. Cl F04b 23/04 Field of Search 103/10, 11

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,665,637 1/1954 Lauck 103/11 X FOREIGN PATENTS H 135, 541 a/59b 10/1956 Germany 415/153 Primary Examiner-Robert M. Walker Attorneys-F. W. Anderson and C. E. Tripp ABSTRACT: A valve unit is mounted between two independent, power-driven pumps and is provided with a rotatable valve and porting such that the discharge from both pumps can be directed simultaneously through the discharge port of the valve unit, or the discharge from either pump can be independently directed through said discharge port.

F'IE-' l PATENTEU JUN 8 l97l SHEET 1 BF 3 INVENTOR THEODORE D.ERICKSON ATTORNEYS PUMPING APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Unscheduled interruptions of industrial continuous flow processes for repair or replacement of online equipment can be exceedingly expensive, both in terms of lost production and destroyed materials. Procedures required to ensure against all such failure events can be significantly improved by providing duplicate apparatus at certain critical areas of a processing system. However, it is necessary that the mechanism for selectively connecting either of two duplicate units into the system be itself highly reliable.

The present invention provides a simple, reliable valve unit for selectively connecting pumps in a processing, line. One system for connecting two pumps in a processing line has been proposed wherein the two pumps are mounted on a common valve block, and the block is provided with four piston-type valves, two associated with each pump. The use of four valves obviously presents operating hazards since the faulty operation of one ofthem could endanger the successful operation of the entire system.

It is accordingly an object of the present invention to pro vide a pumping system having duplicate pumping units and a highly reliable mechanism for selectively connecting the pumps in the system.

Another object is to provide an improved valve unit for a pumping system having a plurality of pumps discharging throughout the unit.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A pair of power-driven pumps are mounted on opposite sides of a valve block that has a fluid supply passage and a fluid discharge passage on one face of the block, and a discharge and an inlet passage at each side of the block communicating respectively with the inlet and discharge passages of the pump mounted at that particular side of the valve block.

A manually operable frustoconical valve is rotatably disposed in the valve block and is provided with generally T- shaped passages that can be selectively connected to the six passages in the valve block to direct the output of either or both pumps through the valve block for discharge through the discharge passage of the valve block.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic plan view of a pumping system constructed in accordance with the teaching of the present invention. means FIG. 2 is an enlarged diagrammatic section taken along line 2-2ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged diagrammatic section taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged diagrammatic section section taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 are diagrammatic sections showing alterna- Each of the pumps 24 and 28 may be a conventional gear pump having a pair of vertically disposed meshing gears. Pump 24 has an inlet passage 36 communicating with the inlet side of the gears, and a discharge passage 38 on the discharge side of the gears. Similarily, pump 28 is provided with an inlet passage 40 and discharge passage 41.

A fluid supply conduit 43 is mounted on the upper face of the valve block 20 and has a passage 44 (FIG. 2) communicating with a supply passage 45 in the valve block. Similarily, a discharge conduit 47 is mounted on the valve block and is in flow communication with a discharge conduit 48 of the valve block.

A frustoconical valve spool 52 is rotatably positioned in a mating opening in the valve block, said spool being provided with a forward T-shaped passage 53 (FIG. 4) near the forward end of the spool and a similar T-shaped passage 56 (FIG. 3) near the rearward end. Forward or upstream passage 53 is adapted to establish flow communication between the inlet passage 45 of the valve block and a transverse passage 58 (FIG. 4) that communicates with the inlet passage 36 of pump 24 and with the inlet passage 40 of pump 28. Rear or downstream passage 56 (FIG. 3) is adapted to establish communication between the discharge passage 48 of the valve block and a transverse passage 60 that communicates with the discharge passage 38 of pump 24 and the discharge passage 41 of pump 28.

A shaft 62, that is integrally formed on one end of the valve spool, extends through a central passage in a generally cylindrical retainer 64 which is secured to an end face of the valve block. Seal members 65 are disposed between the retainer and the shaft 62 and a tubular pressure member 67, which bears against the seals, is adjustably secured to the retainer 64 by capscrews that extend through cars 69 formed on the member 67. The tapered outer surface of the valve spool is urged into close-fitting engagement with its mating seat by a spring 70 that is disposed between a shoulder on shaft 62 and the inner end of a nut 72 which surrounds shaft 62 and is threaded into a bracket 74 that is secured to retainer 64. Stop screws 75 are provided on the bracket to limit the inward adjusting movement of the nut 72, and the outer end of the shaft 62 is provided with a configuration adapting the end to be engaged in driving relation by a crank for turning the valve spool.

The small end of the valve spool (FIG. 2) is adapted to be engaged by a screw 77 which is threaded through the valve block. This screw may be used to forcibly disengage the tapered surface of the valve from its seat, should this become necessary for turning the valve, without disturbing the seal.

Referring to FIGS. 510, it will be noted that each of the T- shaped passages in the valve spool 52 may be rotated to three distinct positions as in a typical three-way valve. Considering first the operation of the T-shaped passage 53 at the forward part of the valve spool, it will be noted that the FIG. 8 setting will connect the inlet passage 45 to the part of passage 58 that 5 leads to pump 24; the FIG. 9 setting will connect the inlet tive operating positions of one of the T-shaped passage at the 60 DESCRIPTION In FIG. 1 the reference numeral 20 indicates a valve block having a side face 22, to which the casing of a pump 24 is bolted, and a side face 26 to which the casing ofa pump 28 is bolted. Pump 24 is driven by an electric motor 30 through a flexible coupling 31, and pump '28 is driven by an electric motor 32 through a flexible coupling 33.

passage 45 to the part of passage 58 leading to pump 28; and the FIG. 10 setting will block off the inlet 45. Referring to FIGS. 57 and considering the operation of the T-shaped passage 56 at the rear of the valve spool, the FIG. 5 setting will communicate the portion of passage 60 leading from the discharge passage 38 of pump 24 to the discharge passage 48 0f the valve block; the FIG. 6 setting will connect the part of passage 60, leading from the discharge conduit 41 of pump 28, with the discharge passage 48 of the valve block; and the FIG. 7 setting will block off the discharge passage 48.

In operation, it is at times desirable to operate both pumps 24 and 28 at half of rated capacity and have them both discharge through the discharge conduit 47 connected to the valve block. To accomplish this operation, the valve is rotated to the setting shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Fluid entering passage 45 will be diverted by T-shaped passage 53 into the passage 58 for delivery to the inlets of both pumps 24 and 28. The fluid will be discharged from passages 38 and 41 (FIG. 3) and diverted upwardly by T-shaped passage 56 into the discharge 5 passage 48.

If pump 28 must be shut down for repair or servicing, the valve is rotated to the position indicated by FIG. 5 and 8 wherein both the inlet and the discharge connections of pump 28 are blanked off. The pump 24 is then operated at full capacity and fluid entering passage 45 is directed laterally by T-shaped passage 53 into the inlet conduit 36 of pump 24. The fluid discharging from pump 24 will be directed by T-shaped passage 56 into the discharge conduit 48.

If pump 24 must be shut down, the valve is rotated to the position of FIGS. 6 and 9, and the pump 28 is operated at rated capacity.

ln FIG. 11 an embodiment of the invention is disclosed wherein the valving element of the system is in the form of two separate spools 80 and 81. A valve block 82 is provided with an inlet passage 83 that corresponds to the inlet passage 45 of the F10. 1-10 modification, and a laterally extending passage (not shown) that corresponds to the passage 58 leading to the inlet side of pumps 24 and 28. Similarily, the block 82 is provided with a discharge passage 84 which corresponds to discharge passage 48 of FIG. 3, and a laterally extending passage (not shown) corresponding to the passage 60 communicating with the discharge passages of pumps 24 and 28.

The two valves 80 and 81 are mounted in the spool in spring-loaded engagement with the seat, and the valve shaft is sealed in the manner explained previously.

It will be evident that the valves 80 and 81 can be rotated to obtain the one-pump or joint-pump operation since the arrangement of the passages in the block and the T-shaped passages in the valves are identical to those previously described. Suitable reference plates or marks will, of course, be provided so that the two independently rotated valves can be rotated to and stopped in corresponding positions.

In FIG. 12 a third embodiment of the pumping system is shown. In this arrangement the valving element is in the form of two tapered spools 90 and 91 that are connected by a shaft 92 which extends from spool 90 and has a splined end in driven engagement with a recess in spool 91. Spool 91 is spring loaded and its shaft is sealed in the manner previously described. Spool 90 is pressed against its seat by a spring 93 disposed between the end of spool 90 and an adjustable block 94.

A valve block 95 has an inlet passage 96 corresponding to inlet passage 45 (FIG. 2) and a discharge passage 97 corresponding to discharge passage 48 (FIG. 2). The passages in the block 95 correspond to the passages in block 20, and the T-shaped passages in the valve spools correspond to the T- shaped passages in spool 52.

It should be noted that the tapered valve spools herein described are particularly adapted for use when operating temperatures are greatly different from normal ambient temperature. The taper provides compensation for thermal expansion of the various elements at different rates without sacrifice of sealing fit. Under lower operating temperature conditions, cylindrical valve spools may be used instead of frustoconical spools. In the disclosed embodiments the valve blocks are made up of several members welded together to provide a unitary structure having passages to permit circulation of temperature-controlling fluid. Also, the pumps may be jacketed for circulating temperature-controlling liquid.

From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that the present invention provides a simple, effective system whereby routine and preventive maintenance on fluid transfer equipment employed in continuous flow processes can be accomplished while the pumping system is operated at full capacity. The use ofa simple rotatable valve element in such a pumping system minimizes the possibility of failures due to one of a mutlipart control system becoming inoperative.

lt will be understood that modifications and variations to the disclosed embodiments may be effected without departing from the scope of the present invention.

What I claim is:

l. A pumping system comprising a valve block having an inlet passage and a discharge passage, a pair of independently driven pumps mounted upon said block, said block being provided with fixed flow passages for independently establishing communication between said inlet passage and the suction side of both of said pumps and for independently establishing flow communication between said discharge passage and the discharge side of both of said pumps, and a valve means movably positioned in said block, said valve means having flow control passages therein for the establishment of communication between said fixed flow passages and said flow control passages establish flow communication between said inlet passage and the fixed flow passages communicating with the suction side of both pumps and between said discharge passage and the fixed flow passages communicating with the discharge side of both pumps to a second position wherein said flow control passages establish communication between said inlet passage and the fixed flow passage communicating with the suction side of one of said pumps and between said discharge passage and the fixed flow passage communicating with the discharge side of said one pump while blocking the fixed flow passages communicating with the other of said pumps to a third position wherein said flow control passages establish communication between said inlet passage and the fixed flow passage communicating with the suction side of said other pump and between said discharge passage and the fixed flow passage communicating with the discharge side of said other pump while blocking the fixed flow passages communicating with said one pump and to a fourth position wherein said inlet passage and said discharge passage are blocked.

2. A pumping system according to claim 1, wherein said valve means comprises a spool rotatably mounted in said block.

3. A pumping system according to claim 2 wherein said spool is rotatable on its longitudinal axis and has an inlet flow control passage and a discharge flow control passage disposed in generally radial planes that are spaced along said axis.

4. A pumping system according to claim 3 wherein said spool is frustoconical and is disposed in a mating opening in said block.

5. A pumping system according to claim 4 including resilient means for urging said spool into seating engagement in said block.

6. A pumping system according to claim 5 including screw means for applying a force lengthwise of said spool to move said spool out of tight engagement with the seat in said block.

7. A pumping system according to claim 4 wherein said inlet flow control passage is located at a larger diameter section of said spool than is said discharge flow control passage.

8. A pumping system according to claim 1 wherein said valve means comprises a pair of spools rotatably mounted in spaced relation in said housing, the flow control passage of one of said spools being associated with the inlet passage in said block and the fixed flow passages communicating with the suction side of each of said pumps and the flow control passage of the other of said spools being associated with the discharge passage in said block and the fixed flow passages communicating with the discharge side of each of said pumps.

9. A pumping system according to claim 8 wherein said two spools are connected for simultaneous rotation in said block.

10. A pumping system according to claim 9 including resilient means for urging each of said spools into seated engagement in said block.

11. A pumping system comprising a valve block, a pair ofindependently driven pumps mounted adjacent spaced sides of said block, means defining an inlet passage and a discharge passage in said block, means defining a pair of first flow passages in said block in communication respectively with the suction side of each pump, means defining a pair of second flow passages in said block in communication respectively with the discharge side of each of said pumps, and a rotary valve in said block having an upstream and a downstream control passage, said upstream passage being arranged for communication with said inlet passage and with said first flow passages, and said downstream control passage being arranged for communication with said second flow passages and said discharge passage, said valve being movable from a first position wherein said control passages establish communication between said block inlet passage and the suction side of both pumps and between said block discharge passage and the discharge side of both pumps to a second position blocking off the flow passages to one pump and establishing communication between said block inlet passage and the suction side of the other pump and between said block discharge passage and the discharge side of said other pump to a third position blocking off the flow passages to said other pump and establishing communication between said block inlet passage and the suction side of said one pump and between said block discharge passage and the discharge side of said one pump and to a fourth position blocking said block inlet passage and said block discharge passage.

12. A pumping system according to claim 11 wherein said upstream and downstream control passages each comprise T- shaped passageways having three outlets on the face of said valve for alternative communication with said passages in said block, said valve being rotatable through a full 360with the shifting between said valve positions being obtained by 90- movements of said valve.

13. A valve for connection to two independently driven pumps comprising a block, a rotary valve member mounted within said block for rotation about its longitudinal axis, said block having an inlet passage and a discharge passage radiating outwardly from said valve member to the exterior of said block for connection to a fluid inlet and discharge conduit respectively, said block having a pair of first flow passages spaced in the direction of said axis and radiating outwardly from said valve member to the exterior of said block for communication with the suction and discharge sides of one of said pumps, said block having a pair of second flow passages aligned with said first flow passages and radiating outwardly from said valve member to the exterior of said block for communication with the suction and discharge sides of the other of said pumps, said valve member having a first flow control passage aligned with a pair of first and second flow passages and said inlet passage, said valve member having a second fiow control passage spaced from said first flow control passage in the direction of said axis and aligned with the other pair of said first and second flow passages and said discharge passage, each flow control passage having three spaced ports on the surface of said valve member which are spaced about said member by an angular distance corresponding to the spacing between said aligned flow passages and said inlet or discharge passage, and means for rotating said valve member to alternatively bring each port into communication with said flow passages and said inlet and discharge passages whereby one pump may be connected for communication with said inlet and discharge passages while the other pump is blocked or said other pump may be connected for communication with said inlet and discharge passages while said one pump is blocked or both pumps may be connected for communication with said inlet and discharge passages or said inlet and discharge passages may be blocked by said valve member.

2 UNITED STATES IIATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3 I583! 840 Dated MarCh 72 THEODORE D ERICKSON Inventor(s) It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Col. 1, line 51, after the period delete "means".

Col. 1, line 56, delete "section", second occurrence.

Col. 4, line 8, after "said" (second occurrence) insert inlet and discharge passages, said valve means being movable from a first dual-operation position wherein said Signed and sealed this L th day of July 1972.

(SEAL) EDWARD M.FLETCHEB, JR ROBERT GOTT SCHALJK Attesting Officer v Commissioner of Patents 

1. A pumping system comprising a valve block having an inlet passage and a discharge passage, a pair of independently driven pumps mounted upon said block, said block being provided with fixed flow passages for independently establishing communication between said inlet passage and the suction side of both of said pumps and for independently establishing flow communication between said discharge passage and the discharge side of both of said pumps, and a valve means movably positioned in said block, said valve means having flow control passages therein for the establishment of communication between said fixed flow passages and said flow control passages establish flow communication between said inlet passage and the fixed flow passages communicating with the suction side of both pumps and between said discharge passage and the fixed flow passages communicating with the discharge side of both pumps to a second position wherein said flow control passages establish communication between said inlet passage and the fixed flow passage communicating with the suction side of one of said pumps and between said discharge passage and the fixed flow passage communicating with the discharge side of said one pump while blocking the fixed flow passages communicating with the other of said pumps to a third position wherein said flow control passages establish communication between said inlet passage and the fixed flow passage communicating with the suction side of said other pump and between said discharge passage and the fixed flow passage communicating with the discharge side of said other pump while blocking the fixed flow passages communicating with said one pump and to a fourth position wherein said inlet passage and said discharge passage are blocked.
 2. A pumping system according to claim 1, wherein said valve means comprises a spool rotatably mounted in said block.
 3. A pumping system according to claim 2 wherein said spool is rotatable on its longitudinal axis and has an inlet flow control passage and a discharge flow control passage disposed in generally radial planes that are spaced along said axis.
 4. A pumping system according to claim 3 wherein said spool is frustoconical and is disposed in a mating opening in said block.
 5. A pumping system according to claim 4 including resilient means for urging said spool into seating engagement in said block.
 6. A pumping system according to claim 5 including screw means for applying a force lengthwise of said spool to move said spool out of tight engagement with the seat in said block.
 7. A pumping system according to claim 4 wherein said inlet flow control passage is located at a larger diameter section of said spool than is said discharge flow control passage.
 8. A pumping system according to claim 1 wherein said valve means comprises a pair of spools rotatably mounted in spaced relation in said housing, the flow control passage of one of said spools being associated with the inlet passage in said block and the fixed flow passages communicating with the suction side of each of said pumps and the flow control passage of the other of said spools being associated with the discharge passage in said block and the fixed flow passages communicating with the discharge side of each of said pumps.
 9. A pumping system according to claim 8 wherein said two spools are connected for simultaneous rotation in said block.
 10. A pumping system according to claim 9 including resilient means for urging each of said spools into seated engagement in said block.
 11. A pumping system comprising a valve block, a pair of independently driven pumps mounted adjacent spaced sides of said block, means defining an inlet passage and a discharge passage in said block, means defining a pair of first flow passages in said block in communication respectively with the suction side of each pump, means defining a pair of second flow passages in said block in communication respectively with the discharge side of each of said pumps, and a rotary valve in said block having an upstream and a downstream control passage, said upstream passage being arranged for communication with said inlet passage and with said first flow passages, and said downstream control passage being arranged for communication with said second flow passages and said discharge passage, said valve being movable from a first position wherein said control passages establish communication between said block inlet passage and the suction side of both pumps and between said block discharge passage and the discharge side of both pumps to a second position blocking off the flow passages to one pump and establishing communication between said block inlet passage and the suction side of the other pump and between said block discharge passage and the discharge side of said other pump to a third position blocking off the flow passages to said other pump and establishing communication between said block inlet passage and the suction side of said one pump and between said block discharge passage and the discharge side of said one pump and to a fourth position blocking said block inlet passage and said block discharge passage.
 12. A pumping system according to claim 11 wherein said upstream and downstream control passages each comprise T-shaped passageways having three outlets on the face of said valve for alternative communication with said passages in said block, said valve being rotatable through a full 360*with the shifting between said valve positions being obtained by 90*movements of said valve.
 13. A valve for connection to two independently driven pumps comprising a block, a rotary valve member mounted within said block for rotation about its longitudinal axis, said block having an inlet passage and a discharge passage radiating outwardly from said valve member to the exterior of said block for connection to a fluid inlet and discharge conduit respectively, said block having a pair of first flow passages spaced in the direction of said axis and radiating outwardly from said valve member to the exterior of said block for communication with the suction and discharge sides of one of said pumps, said block having a pair of second flow passages aligned with said first flow passages and radiating outwardly from said valve member to the exterior of said block for communication with the suction and discharge sides of the other of said pumps, said valve member having a first flow control passage aligned with a pair of first and second flow passages and said inlet passage, said valve member having a second flow control passage spaced from said first flow control passage in the direction of said axis and aligned with the other pair of said first and second flow passages and said discharge passage, each flow control passage having three spaced ports on the surface of said valve member which are spaced about said member by an angular distance corresponding to the spacing between said aligned flow passages and said inlet or discharge passage, and means for rotating said valve member to alternatively bring each port into communication with said flow passages and said inlet and discharge passages whereby one pump may be connected for communication with said inlet and discharge passages while the other pump is blocked or said other pump may be connected for communication with said inlet and discharge passages while said one pump is blocked or both pumps mAy be connected for communication with said inlet and discharge passages or said inlet and discharge passages may be blocked by said valve member. 